Exploring Dynamics of Changes in Psychological Skills in the Development of Talented Athletes.

In this study we examined changes in a psychological skill set, defined as crucial for the growth of talented athletes, through repeated assessments of the six-factor Psychological Characteristics of Development Excellence Questionnaire (PCDEQ). In a first phase of this study, we built and evaluated a French adaptation of the PCDEQ: the PCDEQ-SV (18 items). After confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha revealed that scales for its six factors ranged from very good to just below minimally acceptable as a model fit. The mean inter-item correlations for the scales, built on three items per scale, were optimal, leading us to assume that this short version was reliable. In the second phase, we analyzed the changes in the skill sets of 67 talented Swiss athletes who were given the PCDEQ-SV three times over 1 year. Feedback on the scores was provided to participants in comparison to the test's cutoffs after T1 and T2. The analysis then focused on those who scored below the cutoffs and their resources for skill improvements. We found that the highest number of participants scored below the cutoffs at testing times, T1 and T2 on Factors 2, 6 and 1. Changes in scores were characterized by overall dynamics of improvement. The resources most used to effect those changes were "personal work with no outside help," "discussions with significant others," and "specific work with the coach." The results are discussed in relation to the iGen's resources for self-determination of psychological skills improvement.

Predictors for Returning to Paid Work after Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Ischemic Stroke.

This study aims to determine which factors within the first week after a first-ever transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor ischemic stroke (MIS) are associated with stroke survivors' ability to return to either partial or full time paid external work (RTpW). In this single-center prospective cohort study, we recruited 88 patients with first-ever TIA or MIS (NIHSS ≤ 5). Bivariate analyses were conducted between patients that did (RTpW) or did not return to paid work (noRTpW) within 7 days after stroke onset and at 3-months follow-up. Then, we conducted multivariate logistic and negative binomial regression analyses assessing (i) which factors are associated with RTpW at 3 months (ii) the likelihood that patients would RTpW at 3 months and (iii) the number of months necessary to RTpW. Overall, 43.2% of the patients did not RTpW at 3 months. At 3-months follow-up, higher anxiety/depression and fatigue-related disabilities were associated with noRTpW. Multivariate analysis showed that higher NIHSS scores at onset and hyperlipidemia (LDL cholesterol > 2.6 mmol/L or statins at stroke onset) were associated with noRTpW at 3 months. Stroke severity and/or newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemia at stroke onset in TIA or MIS patients were associated with not returning to paid work at 3 months.

Hematological variables in recreational breath-hold divers: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of regular breath-hold training on hematological variables is not fully understood. We monitored hematological variables in breath-hold divers (BHDs) and active controls over a year expecting both breath-hold training and seasonal effects. METHODS: In 11 recreational BHDs (36±9 years, 177±8 cm, 72±9 kg) and 12 active controls (22±2 years, 174±8 cm, 70±13 kg) monthly blood samples were analyzed with the hematological module of WADA's athlete biological passport. Hemoglobin mass and plasma volume were measured indirectly by the CO-rebreathing method for the last eight months of the study. Breath-hold training sessions were recorded online. Days without breath-hold training, or the number of hours prior to blood sampling when training was realized within the last 24 hours, were recorded. RESULTS: Hematology did not differ significantly between BHDs and controls over the study time (P>0.05). However, hematological values varied significantly over time for both groups suggesting seasonal effects. Blood sampling 19 hours or more after a breath hold training did not indicate any acute effects of breath holding training. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with a physically active lifestyle, regular breath-hold training does not induce significant variations over one year for the hematological module of the ABP.

[Incidence and predictors of peri-traumatic reactions in an Algerian population faced with COVID-19]. / Incidence et prédicteurs des réactions péri-traumatiques dans une population algérienne face à la COVID-19.

Objectives: This study explored two related questions: (1) the incidence of peri-traumatic distress and dissociation in a general Algerian population during the initial stages of the COVID-19 epidemic; (2) sociodemographic predictors of peri-traumatic reaction. The objective is to better understand the peri-traumatic experience in order to identify vulnerable people to whom psychological care could be offered. Materials and methods: An online descriptive survey containing three questionnaires, a demographic questionnaire, the questionnaire for peri-traumatic distress and the questionnaire for peri-traumatic dissociation experiences, was conducted using the snowball sampling technique to select 1374 Algerians. Results: The results of this survey indicate that 32.7 % of the participants present a peri-traumatic distress and 61.8 % of the participants present a significant level of peri-traumatic dissociation during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to confinement, stress, female gender, the origin of a particularly affected department, the average economic situation and a history of psychological problems are predictors of peri-traumatic distress. Conclusion: This study provides the first empirical data on the incidence of peri-traumatic reactions (distress and dissociation), as well as their predictors in an Algerian population during the initial phases of the COVID-19 epidemic. The Algerian population has experienced levels of distress in the low range of what has been described in the literature, while the dissociation shows that the majority of the population is affected. This result demonstrates the importance of measuring the peri-traumatic reactions according to the two dimensions of distress and dissociation, and offering psychological care for the most vulnerable people, in order to prevent the risk of their possible chronicisation, and developing post-traumatic stress disorder in later periods.

The Effect of Obesity Class on the Energetics and Mechanics of Walking.

Higher mass-normalized net energy cost of walking (NetCw/kg) and mechanical pendular recovery are observed in obese compared to lean adults. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different classes of obesity on the energetics and mechanics of walking and to explore the relationships between body mass, NetCw/kg and gait mechanics by using principal component analysis (PCA). NetCw/kg and gait mechanics were computed in severely obese (SOG; n = 18, BMI = 40.1 ± 4.4 kg·m-2), moderately obese (MOG; n = 17, BMI = 32.2 ± 1.5 kg·m-2) and normal-weight (NWG; n = 13, BMI = 22.0 ± 1.5 kg·m-2) adults during five walking trials (0.56, 0.83, 1.11, 1.39, 1.67 m·s-1) on an instrumented treadmill. NetCw/kg was significantly higher in SOG compared to NWG (p = 0.019), with no significant difference between SOG and MOG (p = 0.14), nor between MOG and NWG (p = 0.27). Recovery was significantly higher in SOG than in NWG (p = 0.028), with no significant difference between SOG and MOG (p = 0.13), nor between MOG and NWG (p = 0.35). PCA models explained between 17.0% and 44.2% of the data variance. This study showed that: (1) obesity class influences the gait energetics and mechanics; (2) PCA was able to identify two components, showing that the obesity class is associated with lower walking efficiency and better pendulum-like characteristics.

Acute Effects of the Wim Hof Breathing Method on Repeated Sprint Ability: A Pilot Study.

The Wim Hof breathing method (WHBM) combines periods of hyperventilation (HV) followed by voluntary breath-holds (BH) at low lung volume. It has been increasingly adopted by coaches and their athletes to improve performance, but there was no published research on its effects. We determined the feasibility of implementing a single WHBM session before repeated sprinting performance and evaluated any acute ergogenic effects. Fifteen amateur runners performed a single WHBM session prior to a Repeated Ability Sprint Test (RAST) in comparison to voluntary HV or spontaneous breathing (SB) (control) in a randomized cross-over design. Gas exchange, heart rate, and finger pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were monitored. Despite large physiological effects in the SpO2 and expired carbon dioxide (VCO2) levels of both HV and WHBM, no significant positive or negative condition effects were found on RAST peak power, average power, or fatigue index. Finger SpO2 dropped to 60 ± 12% at the end of the BHs. Upon the last HV in the WHBM and HV conditions, end-tidal CO2 partial pressure (PETCO2) values were 19 ± 3 and 17 ± 3 mmHg, indicative of respiratory alkalosis with estimated arterial pH increases of +0.171 and of +0.181, respectively. Upon completion of RAST, 8 min cumulated expired carbon dioxide volumes in the WHBM and HV were greater than in SB, suggesting lingering carbon dioxide stores depletion. These findings indicate that despite large physiological effects, a single WHBM session does not improve anaerobic performance in repeated sprinting exercise.

Defense Mechanisms and Treatment Response in Depressed Inpatients.

The study investigated the extent to which defensive functioning and defense mechanisms predict clinically meaningful symptomatic improvement within brief psychodynamic psychotherapy for recurrent and chronic depression in an inpatient setting. Treatment response was defined as a reduction in symptom severity of 46% or higher from the baseline score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). A subsample of 41 patients (19 responders and 22 non-responders) from an RCT was included. For each case, two sessions (the second and the penultimate) of brief inpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy (a manualized 12-session therapy program developed in Lausanne) were transcribed and then coded using the Defense Mechanism Rating Scales (DMRS) and the Psychotic Defense Mechanism Rating Scales (P-DMRS), an additional scale developed to study psychotic defenses. Results showed that defensive functioning and mature and immature defense changed during psychotherapy and predicted treatment response. Patient's defenses observed throughout therapy also predicted treatment response at 12-month follow-up. The addition of psychotic defenses allows a better prediction of the treatment response. Overall, these results are in line with previous research and provide further validation of defensive functioning as a predictor of outcomes and a mechanism of change in psychotherapy.

The Influence of Training Load on Hematological Athlete Biological Passport Variables in Elite Cyclists.

The hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is used in elite sport for antidoping purposes. Its aim is to better target athletes for testing and to indirectly detect blood doping. The ABP allows to monitor hematological variations in athletes using selected primary blood biomarkers [hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and reticulocyte percentage (Ret%)] with an adaptive Bayesian model to set individual upper and lower limits. If values fall outside the individual limits, an athlete may be further targeted and ultimately sanctioned. Since (Hb) varies with plasma volume (PV) fluctuations, possibly caused by training load changes, we investigated the putative influence of acute and chronic training load changes on the ABP variables. Monthly blood samples were collected over one year in 10 male elite cyclists (25.6 ± 3.4 years, 181 ± 4 cm, 71.3 ± 4.9 kg, 6.7 ± 0.8 W.kg-1 5-min maximal power output) to calculate individual ABP profiles and monitor hematological variables. Total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and PV were additionally measured by carbon monoxide rebreathing. Acute and chronic training loads-respectively 5 and 42 days before sampling-were calculated considering duration and intensity (training stress score, TSSTM). (Hb) averaged 14.2 ± 0.0 (mean ± SD) g.dL-1 (range: 13.3-15.5 g·dl-1) over the study with significant changes over time (P = 0.004). Hbmass was 1030 ± 87 g (range: 842-1116 g) with no significant variations over time (P = 0.118), whereas PV was 4309 ± 350 mL (range: 3,688-4,751 mL) with a time-effect observed over the study time (P = 0.014). Higher acute-but not chronic-training loads were associated with significantly decreased (Hb) (P <0.001). Although individual hematological variations were observed, all ABP variables remained within the individually calculated limits. Our results support that acute training load variations significantly affect (Hb), likely due to short-term PV fluctuations, underlining the importance of considering training load when interpreting individual ABP variations for anti-doping purposes.

Modulation of torque evoked by wide-pulse, high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the potential implications for rehabilitation and training.

The effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for rehabilitation is proportional to the evoked torque. The progressive increase in torque (extra torque) that may develop in response to low intensity wide-pulse high-frequency (WPHF) NMES holds great promise for rehabilitation as it overcomes the main limitation of NMES, namely discomfort. WPHF NMES extra torque is thought to result from reflexively recruited motor units at the spinal level. However, whether WPHF NMES evoked force can be modulated is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of two interventions known to change the state of spinal circuitry in opposite ways on evoked torque and motor unit recruitment by WPHF NMES. The interventions were high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS). We show that TENS performed before a bout of WPHF NMES results in lower evoked torque (median change in torque time-integral: - 56%) indicating that WPHF NMES-evoked torque might be modulated. In contrast, the anodal tsDCS protocol used had no effect on any measured parameter. Our results demonstrate that WPHF NMES extra torque can be modulated and although the TENS intervention blunted extra torque production, the finding that central contribution to WPHF NMES-evoked torques can be modulated opens new avenues for designing interventions to enhance WPHF NMES.

Reviewing the role of the environment in the talent development of a professional soccer club.

This two-part study examined the perceptions of talented Swiss soccer players about their talent development environment. The first study presented the translation and validation of the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (TDEQ) into French using a recommended methodology for translating and culturally adapting questionnaires. Two hundred and three Swiss athletes (M = 16.99 years old) responded to the 25 items of the TDEQ-5. One item was excluded due to low factor loadings, and the descriptive statistics showed that the re-specified TDEQ-5 instrument had acceptable global model fit according to the thresholds in the literature (χ2 (df = 17) = 484.62, p<0.001, CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.06). This adaptation is thus valid for assessing the effectiveness of talent development processes. For the second study, a holistic design was used to examine the perceptions of a set of players embedded in a top-level Swiss soccer academy (i.e., 64 elite soccer players from 14 to 18 years old) by using the TDEQ-5. The results showed some relative strengths (i.e., F1-Long-Term Focus for the M15 and M16 age-groups) and weaknesses (i.e., F2-Alignment of Expectations for the M17 and M18 age -groups and F3-Communication for M17). They also highlighted that the talent pathways of these Swiss soccer players could not be summarized by a single type of transition toward a professional team. Rather, there were context-specific requirements, such as the critical period between the M15-M16 and M17-M18 age-groups, suggesting that when the players first entered their TDE they experienced a set of affordances to develop and flourish, which thereafter were perceived as less rich and/or abundant. These results offer a starting point for optimizing talent pathways.

Understanding the Prevalence Rates of Interpersonal Violence Experienced by Young French-Speaking Swiss Athletes.

Facing the important methodological limitations of the instruments used for assessing the prevalence of interpersonal violence faced by young athletes, the aim of the present study was to propose and describe the use of a research instrument adapted to young and French-speaking athletes. In addition, by collecting preliminary data with a Swiss sample, we aimed to measure the different forms of interpersonal violence young athletes have experienced at least once during their sport practice. Our questionnaire was based on three existing questionnaires and adapted for a young audience. Regarding prevalence, results showed that among the 210 respondents, 75% declared psychological violence, 53% physical violence, 28% sexual violence and 21% reported no violence. The other results showed that this instrument appears to be well-structured to measure interpersonal violence and understandable for young athletes. Based on the strengths and limits of our instrument, the methodological need of standardization of research instruments is discussed in line with a need of more studies to fully understand the phenomenon.

Does body position before and during blood sampling influence the Athlete Biological Passport variables?

INTRODUCTION: The Athlete's Biological Passport (ABP) is a tool for the indirect detection of blood doping. Guidelines from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) require a 2 hours delay after any physical exercise, and to be seated for 10 minutes before collecting an ABP sample. This study investigated posture-related hematological variations with changes in body position during blood sampling. METHODS: Ten successive venous blood samples from 38 subjects were collected in three situations: immediately after 10-minutes of normalized activity (B1), after 10-minutes seated (B2, typical reference sample in an anti-doping context), after a 50 m walk (B3), after 5 and 10-minutes in a seated position again (B4 and B5), and finally after 5-30 minutes supine (B6-B10). Hemoglobin concentration [Hb] and hematocrit (Hct) were determined by flow cytometry to assess putative posture-related variations. RESULTS: Reticulocytes percentage was unchanged in all conditions, [Hb] and Hct were stable after at least 10-minutes in a seated position. Due to shifts in plasma volume, [Hb] and Hct increased slightly but significantly higher after changing posture for a short walk (+0.1 gr/dL [P = .008] and +0.4% [P = .01] respectively), but readjusted to previous levels after only 5 minutes. Supine position (>10 minutes) induced decreases of [Hb] (-0.2 g/dL in average, P < .01) and Hct (-1.1%, in average, P < .01). CONCLUSION: The observed variations in [Hb] and Hct may have minor clinical significance, while they underline the need to follow strict guidelines for posture before and during blood sampling in an anti-doping context.

Laboratory animal science course in Switzerland: participants' points of view and implications for organizers.

Switzerland has implemented a mandatory training in laboratory animal science since 1999; however a comprehensive assessment of its effects has never been undertaken so far. The results from the analysis of participants in the Swiss Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) Category B compulsory courses in laboratory animal science run in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 showed that the participants fully appreciated all elements of the course. The use of live animals during the course was supported and explained by six arguments characterized with cognitive, emotional and forward-looking factors. A large majority considered that the 3R (replacement, reduction and refinement) principles were adequately applied during the course. Responses to an open question offered some ideas for improvements. This overall positive picture, however, revealed divergent answers from different subpopulations in our sample (for example, scientists with more hindsight, scientists trained in biology, or participants from Asian countries).

Comparison of vitality states of finishers and withdrawers in trail running: An enactive and phenomenological perspective.

Studies on ultra-endurance suggest that during the races, athletes typically experience three vitality states (i.e., preservation, loss, and revival) at the phenomenological level. Nevertheless, how these states contribute to the management and outcome of performance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether and how the vitality states experienced by runners and their evolution during a trail race can be used to distinguish finishers from withdrawers. From an enactive and phenomenological framework, we processed enactive interviews and blog posts of race narratives. We distinguished units of meaning, which were grouped into sequences of experience; each sequence was then categorized as one of the three vitality states: state of vitality preservation (SVP), state of vitality loss (SVL) or state of vitality revival (SVR). We analyzed the distribution of these vitality states and their temporal organization at the beginning, in the second and third quarters, and at the end of the races, and we qualitatively characterized runners' adaptations to SVL. Results showed that finishers completed the race in SVP, with overall significantly more sequences in SVP and significantly fewer sequences in SVL than withdrawers. SVR did not discriminate finishers from withdrawers. The temporal organization of the vitality states showed a significant difference in the emergence of SVP from the second quarter of the race, as well as a significant difference in the emergence of SVL from the third quarter of the race. The analysis of adaptations to SVL confirmed that finishers were more capable of exiting SVL by enacting a preservation world when they felt physical or psychological alerts, whereas withdrawers remained in SVL. Our results showed that finishers and withdrawers did not enact the same phenomenological worlds in the race situation, especially in the organization of vitality adaptations and their relationships to difficulties; the cumulative effect of the succession of experienced vitality states differed, as well.

Statistics in Public Understanding of Science review: How to achieve high statistical standards?

This article proposes a checklist to improve statistical reporting in the manuscripts submitted to Public Understanding of Science. Generally, these guidelines will allow the reviewers (and readers) to judge whether the evidence provided in the manuscript is relevant. The article ends with other suggestions for a better statistical quality of the journal.